[Kang Il-hong's Today Entertainment] "BTS Deserves It More"...National Petition to Abolish Military Service Exemption

Jang Hanbyul, Solo Concert Additional Dates Sell Out in Under a MinuteWednesday, October 7, Military Exemption/ BTS/ Jang Hanbyul/ Assassin(s)/ Park Wi The controversy over military exemptions for the Asian Games football team has ultimately led to a national petition to abolish military exemptions for arts and sports. The controversy began when some players made remarks emphasizing military benefits immediately after winning the gold medal, and one player even posted a photo on social media wearing a "discharge cap." Photo: Park Seung-su SNS[THE FACT|Reporter Kang Il-hong] "Aren't BTS more deserving?" The controversy over military exemptions for the Asian Games football team has ultimately led to a national petition to abolish military exemptions for arts and sports.The football team set a record of four consecutive Asian Games championships by defeating Japan. However, the excitement of the gold medal did not last long. The controversy began when some players made remarks emphasizing military benefits immediately after winning the gold medal, and one player even posted a photo on social media wearing a "discharge cap."In particular, player Yang Min-hyuk made remarks suggesting that military exemption was an important motivation for the game, and captain Lee Ki-hyuk also said, "I'm not going to the military" while holding the gold medal. Coupled with the photo of Park Seung-su, who played only 16 minutes in the tournament, wearing a discharge cap, an uncomfortable question arose: "Did the national team play for the country, or did they play for military benefits?"Of course, it is impossible for outsiders to definitively determine what the players were truly thinking when they competed. The problem was the expression and attitude towards military benefits. This is because it can give the impression that the youth and time of those who have completed their military service are being treated as a trivial reward.In the end, the players apologized one after another, and the Korea Football Association also apologized, stating that they had disappointed and hurt active military personnel and the public. BTS was also brought up in this context. A national petition was filed in the National Assembly for the "abolition of the military exemption system for entertainers and athletes."The petitioner raised the issue of whether granting military benefits to winners of certain competitions for enhancing national prestige still holds public persuasion, and questioned why young people like BTS, who have contributed to the global spread of Hallyu, were not eligible for military exemptions.This petition received 100 pre-agreements on the day of registration and is currently under review for public disclosure. However, what is important here is not to argue who is more deserving between BTS and the football players.The core issue is whether the current system, which allows exceptions to military service based on "enhancing national prestige," is fair and persuasive enough in this era. And this controversy is unlikely to end as a mere online public opinion battle.On the 6th, the Ministry of National Defense announced that it would reflect and pursue the reduction or abolition of supplementary service personnel, including arts and sports personnel, in the basic plan for defense reform. This is to comprehensively consider factors such as the decrease in military manpower, fairness and equity among those subject to military service, and public consensus.Currently, policy research services on the arts and sports personnel system are underway, and once the results are released, the direction of system reform is expected to be discussed in earnest. Ultimately, the essence of this controversy is not the gold medal itself.It is the relative sense of deprivation that arises when some people accept military service as a natural duty, while others are exempted from that duty with a single medal, and the question of whether military exemptions based on "enhancing national prestige" should be redesigned as times have changed.It remains to be seen whether this Asian Games controversy will be a one-time happening or a decisive turning point that changes the arts and sports military exemption system itself. Attention is now shifting from the players' apologies to the government's discussions on system reform."A Concert a Generation Has Waited For"... Peru Erupts as BTS ArrivesAmidst comparisons with BTS, the fervor of BTS sweeping South America is beyond our imagination. Peru's capital, Lima, is heating up with BTS fever. A so-called 'BTS Street' has even appeared in downtown Lima.BTS will hold their world tour 'Arirang' concerts at Estadio San Marcos in Lima, Peru, on October 7, 9, and 10. This is the first time BTS is visiting Peru since their debut in 2013.Special welcome events are continuing in Lima ahead of the concerts. From the 5th to the 11th of the month, the district of Santiago de Surco has temporarily named Sacramento Street in the Surco area 'BTS Street' and installed signs to announce it.Various parts of the city have also been dyed purple. The Arco Morisco, a representative architectural structure in Surco Friendship Park, is brightly lit in purple, symbolizing BTS, and a light show for BTS is held daily. At the Fantasia Fountain in Fountain Park, another famous spot, a BTS-themed event using music, lights, and water screens is taking place.Peru's official tourism website has also recognized this concert as an opportunity to boost tourism. It is expected that fans visiting Lima to see BTS will experience Peru's gastronomy, history, and nature, and continue their travels to other regions such as Paracas and Machu Picchu.The start of the South American tour was also hot. BTS previously kicked off their concert in Bogota, Colombia, drawing an audience of about 100,000 people. Local media described the concert as "the most anticipated concert of a generation."BTS, which has become a cultural phenomenon beyond K-pop, is now heating up the streets, tourist attractions, and fans' hearts in South America with its fervor in Lima.First Concert Additional Performance Sells Out at Lightning Speed, What's the Secret to Their Popularity?Yesterday, the 6th, tickets for the additional dates of singer Jang Hanbyul's first solo concert were on sale. As expected, they all sold out in under a minute. Following the initial two performances that sold out immediately upon ticket opening, the additional performance tickets, prepared due to fan requests, also sold out instantly.Notably, with all seats sold out in less than a minute from the start of sales, Jang Hanbyul's immense popularity was once again confirmed. Jang Hanbyul's first solo concert, 'THE STAR IS BORN,' was originally scheduled for two performances on October 31st at 1 PM and 6 PM.However, all seats were sold out in just 2 minutes after tickets opened, and premium tickets were being traded for as much as 900,000 won on online resale sites, indicating the intense fan demand.Consequently, the agency decided to add one more performance on November 1st at 3 PM in response to fan requests. And the ticket sales for the additional performance, which began at 7 PM on the 6th, also resulted in a sell-out.This time, with tickets selling out in less than a minute, it demonstrated that fans' interest in Jang Hanbyul is translating into actual ticket power beyond mere anticipation. This brings the total number of performances for Jang Hanbyul's first solo concert to three.So, what is Jang Hanbyul's charm? The first thing that comes to mind is their broad stage presence that transcends genres.At this concert, Jang Hanbyul is scheduled to perform a variety of music genres, from ballads to trot and pop, with a live band. Their solid recognition built through broadcasting is also a significant factor.After ranking in the TOP3 on the MBM entertainment show 'Myeongjeon,' they recently won first place on KBS 2TV's 'Immortal Songs,' showcasing both their talent and presence. They are also making their presence felt by competing for top spots on various charts.In particular, the analysis suggests that the anticipation of fans wanting to directly experience the image they showed on broadcast and the live performances they will deliver on stage has led to this ticket frenzy.With Jang Hanbyul's first solo concert expanding to three performances, and consecutive sell-out records, fans' attention is naturally shifting to what kind of stage they will present at the concert.With a diverse stage with a live band, and special communication and unreleased stages exclusively for the fandom 'Eunhasu' (Milky Way), it is expected to see what new star Jang Hanbyul will reveal through this performance, true to the concert title 'THE STAR IS BORN.'Historical Distortion Controversy: Actor's Life Threatened, BIFF AffectedThe repercussions of the historical distortion controversy surrounding the film 'Assassin(s)' have extended to the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). The film 'Assassin(s),' released on the 23rd of last month, continues to be debated regarding the boundary between historical fact and cinematic imagination, with its fictional settings based on actual events.The controversy has spread beyond the film itself to the political sphere, and eventually affected the actors involved. In particular, actor Yoo Hae-jin faced protests in front of his home, and threatening messages appeared online, raising concerns about his personal safety.The Seoul Seongbuk Police Station, at the request of Yoo Hae-jin's agency, has strengthened patrols around his residence and implemented safety measures. As a result, scheduled events at the Busan International Film Festival were successively canceled. The 'Actor's House,' which actor Lee Min-ho was scheduled to attend, was canceled, followed by the cancellation of the opening ceremony red carpet and outdoor stage greetings, which director Hur Jin-ho and the actors were to attend.The production company stated that the schedule was canceled considering the recent situation surrounding the film and the safety of the audience and attendees. Furthermore, Yoo Hae-jin also did not attend the Buil Film Awards ceremony held on the 7th, making it difficult to meet the director and main actors of 'Assassin(s)' at the official events of the Busan International Film Festival.The film festival also expressed its regret. Jeong Han-seok, the executive programmer of the Busan International Film Festival, stated that the cancellation of these events was "regrettable for the film festival."However, he explained that the decision was made to respect the requests of the production company and guests for the safety of the audience and guests, and for the smooth progress of the event. He also drew a line, stating that this controversy is not causing major disruptions to the overall operation of the film festival.The question left by this situation is clear. In films dealing with actual history, what is the realm of creation, and where does historical distortion begin? And is it justifiable for criticism of a work to extend to the invasion of privacy and threats to the personal safety of the creative team and actors?While evaluating a film is the audience's prerogative, a balance must be maintained between safety, freedom of expression, and responsibility for historical facts in that process. As the controversy surrounding 'Assassin(s)' affects not only a single film but also the film festival and actors, attention is focused on what discussions and social debates this situation will leave behind in the future.A Single Word Caused Trouble?" On-Screen Candor Leads to Controversy... Who is TPOP7?"Which star is known for causing controversy with every word they speak?" In a unique survey that posed this somewhat provocative question, the top spot was taken by Park Wi. A total of 29,962 people participated in this poll conducted by DC Inside. Park Wi received 4,961 votes, about 17%, to secure first place.Park Wi, who has been honestly showing his life with a disability through YouTube and communicating with the public with a positive and uninhibited attitude, recently faced controversy over his decision to release CCTV footage of the KTX wheelchair fall accident. He eventually deleted the video and apologized, admitting that he did not fully consider the position of the social service worker who helped him.However, he was only one vote ahead of the second-place finisher. Second place went to Baek Jong-won, who received 4,960 votes. On television, he has built an image as an "expert who knows business well" with his characteristic direct speaking style and realistic advice. However, following various controversies related to Theborn Korea, he suspended his broadcasting activities and focused on his business, resuming YouTube activities in June of this year.Third place went to Jeon Hyun-moo with 3,764 votes. He is a representative MC beloved for his witty remarks and quick thinking on various entertainment shows.However, he caused controversy in the past for using inappropriate language when mentioning the cause of death of a fallen police officer. More recently, suspicions of broadcast manipulation surrounding the Kazakhstan trip on 'I Live Alone' led to the production team issuing explanations and apologies.Following them, Kian84, Han So-hee, NewJeans MINJI, and others were listed. Notably, Kian84 is known for his uninhibited expressions on broadcast, and Han So-hee became a topic of discussion when a video of her telling people around her to "Please be quiet" at an overseas event was released.Minji also experienced her past remarks about 'kal-guksu' (knife-cut noodles) unexpectedly turning into a controversy. Ultimately, what this survey shows is not simply "stars who make many verbal mistakes," but rather that the honest and uninhibited image often portrayed on broadcast can sometimes lead to controversy.eel@tf.co.kr